JOHN Eustace has warned his exciting crop of youngsters they will have to work even harder to ensure relegated Kidderminster Harriers bounce back in the National North.

The club's young guns shone as the Reds ended a difficult season encouragingly but the new manager is keen to impress his mantra of industry on them.

Fans will be expecting the club to bounce back from their fall from the Vanarama National League but Eustace believes effort will be key.

“The fans will be expecting promotion, but we’re going into a tough division,” he said.

“I can’t guarantee we’re going to win every game or that we’ll win promotion, but I can promise that the team will give 100 per cent. We have a lot of gifted youngsters at the club, but they will have to work even harder next season to achieve our aims.”

The club stepped up its plans for the 2016-17 campaign by sealing promising youngsters Jordan Tunnicliffe, Dan Sweeney, Richard Forsyth, Nathan Millichamp, George Taylor and James Hancocks.

Defender Jared Hodgkiss has also triggered an appearance-based clause in his deal and has been offered terms for the campaign ahead.

The club have also offered Evan Garnett, defender Keith Lowe, midfielder James McQuilkin and winger Omari Patrick new deals.

Loan pair Kelvin Langmead and Ben Whitfield returned to respective loan clubs Ebbsfleet and Bournemouth.

Dean Snedker, Jordan Jones, Gurjit Singh, Reece Hales, Jono Brown, Aman Verma and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner were all released.

The club already secured Elton Ngwatala, who was named the league’s player of the month for April, Zaine Francis-Angol, Ousmane Fane, Arthur Gnahoua, Tyrone Williams and Kennedy Digie, The Harriers manager also revealed he is keen to bring in several experienced players into the team.

Eustace added: “There is a good core of young gifted players at the club who ended the season very well.

“We’ve got to bring in two or three experienced players to help them. With the club relegated the finances will be affected. We’ve got to make sure we bring in guys with experience of the level we’re going to play in next season. It will be up to myself, Matt Gardiner and Colin Gordon to find the people we want. We will also be bringing in players with the right character who want to do well for Kidderminster Harriers.”

l Owner and chief executive Colin Gordon has taken over as chairman, and Rod Brown moving to vice-chair.